Chapter 112: The Imperial Favor

For the Emperor, the sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple was a crucial responsibility, the very root of his legitimacy. Every ancestral worship ceremony, therefore, was conducted with the utmost grandeur. The memorials presented to the ancestors were packed with bragging, essentially stating that the Emperor had not failed the heavy trust of the Imperial Ancestors; he was governing the world well, members of the Imperial Clan were living comfortably, and thus, the ancestors could rest assured.

This meant reporting only the good news, hiding the bad.

But this time, Emperor Hongzhi actually ordered Duke of Yingguo to deliver a memorial pleading guilt, confessing his own crimes to the ancestors… For Emperor Hongzhi, this was nothing short of an earth-shattering disgrace.

The eunuch listened, accepted the command, and departed.

Liu Jian and the other two were inwardly comforted by the elderly man’s words. They said in unison: “Your Majesty is sagely and brilliant.”

Emperor Hongzhi seated himself calmly. “Where am I sagacious or brilliant? Now I am merely mending the fold after losing the sheep. Minister Fang was correct. Without his reminder, I would have nearly misled myself. Minister Fang…”

Fang Jifan finally let out a long sigh of relief. Perfect!

He hurriedly responded, “Your servant is present.”

Emperor Hongzhi gazed upon Fang Jifan. Deep within his eyes, there seemed a hidden meaning. He increasingly felt that assigning Fang Jifan to the House of the Crown Prince was more than correct. Although others were mature and steady, the Crown Prince’s obstinate nature made genuine closeness impossible. If one couldn’t even get close, how could one influence the Crown Prince?

But Fang Jifan was different. The two were the same age and clicked exceptionally well. And uniquely… this Fang Jifan even understood so many principles. Even His Majesty needed his reminder to gain enlightenment.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled, revealing an expression of relief and paternal warmth. “Your father was a good father. His deeds gave me deep reflection. You are not bad either. The Fang family… truly worthy of being a house of loyal martyrs. Very good.”

“……” Fang Jifan hesitated, unexpectedly not knowing how to reply.

“Hmm?” Emperor Hongzhi said gently. “You are troubled? If something weighs on your heart, speak freely.”

“Your Majesty, that so-called deed… was made up,” Fang Jifan confessed frankly.

“……”

Emperor Hongzhi’s softened face stiffened again, instantly appearing somewhat awkward.

Actually, using stories to admonish was nothing strange; it had been done since ancient times. But… Fang Jifan was perhaps a bit too blunt.

Emperor Hongzhi could only take a deep breath. Do not get angry! Do not get angry!

Fang Jifan was just like this. Occasionally, some sensible words would come out. But before one could even begin to praise him, he revealed his true nature again.

Emperor Hongzhi gave a hollow laugh, his expression unnatural. “Minister, you truly are a generous and upright person.”

Being praised as generous and upright for the first time made Fang Jifan shiver. Moved, he said, “Your Majesty truly has discerning eyes that perceive a person’s essence at a single glance.” Inside, he thought: Today’s imperial audience and His Majesty’s evaluation of me must surely be recorded in the Qi Ju Zhu! Wa-ha-ha! In the future, who would dare call this young master cunning? I’ll just head to the Hanlin Academy, retrieve today’s records of the imperial audience, and smash their dog heads!

“……” Clearly, Emperor Hongzhi was already starting to regret lingering in idle talk with this fellow.

“You presented useful advice and have earned our reward. You may take your leave.”

Since the task of this visit was accomplished, Fang Jifan relaxed. The Crown Prince’s secret move truly worked wonders. He bowed. “Your servant takes his leave.”

Watching Fang Jifan’s receding figure, Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes flickered with complex emotions.

Liu Jian’s gaze, however, was much purer – simple appreciation. Coming to admonish took courage. Speaking startling words that directly seized His Majesty’s core concern took strategy.

It made Liu Jian almost wish his own not-so-promising son could also contract a Brain Illness.

After leaving the Forbidden City, Fang Jifan hurried straight to the House of the Crown Prince.

The hour was already late, approaching noon. Fang Jifan didn’t worry about tardiness, for the Bai Hu would naturally cover for him. This was the benefit of both being the Nanhe Bozi and a brain illness patient. The former made people wary, the latter made people even more wary.

Position alone might allow bullying ordinary commoners. But within the Imperial Forest Guard, not one was easy to handle; anyone who could become a Bai Hu had connections. And the terror of the latter category lay in Fang Jifan being seen as unpredictable. Who knew when he might suddenly snap and tear down all pretenses?

The watermelon sprouts had begun producing vines. Though the cold still gripped the land, several days of clear skies meant sunlight filtered through the Colored Glaze. Combined with the moderate temperature inside the Greenhouse, the watermelons were growing rather nicely. And being in a relatively sealed environment, pests hadn’t appeared… yet.

This was, of course, all thanks to Zhu Houzhao’s diligent care.

Fortunately, Zhu Houzhao no longer stayed in the Greenhouse all day. To improve the soil, Fang Jifan had suggested fertilization. But fertilizer… heh heh…

Zhu Houzhao spent his days listless. His mind was wholly fixated on his watermelons, desperately hoping they would sprout soon to astonish his Imperial Father and avenge that beating.

Seeing the guy dazed like that, Fang Jifan couldn’t be bothered with him. Such a spoiled child absolutely should not be indulged. If you fawned over him, he’d start thinking he could fly.

…

“By Heaven’s Mandate, the Emperor decrees…”

Simultaneously, at the Nanhe Bo Mansion and the residence of the Minister of Rites, Cheng, eunuchs arrived swiftly on horseback. Everyone in the households knelt to welcome the Imperial Edict.

The eunuch had a blank face, looking deeply solemn and sorrowful. As the eunuch tasked with reading the decree, he naturally knew what expression matched which type of Imperial Decree.

The Imperial Edict for the Nanhe Bo Mansion arrived somewhat delayed, as the eunuch had only found out indirectly that Xu Jing was at the Fang residence.

Fang Jinglong was at the Five Chief Military Commissions. Fang Jifan was on duty at the House of the Crown Prince. Those managing things at the Fang mansion were Manager Yang and Fang Jifan’s four disciples. However, the eunuch specifically ordered Xu Jing to receive the decree, so Xu Jing, his old wounds not yet healed, came forward too.

The dozens of household servants heard the words “The Emperor decrees…” and were shaken beyond words. If an edict was solely aimed at an individual, it usually said “Commands…” or “Honors…”. But “Decrees…” was different. A “decree” meant proclamation to the world, for all to hear – this was to be announced to the entire populace, not just those immediately involved.

This made Manager Yang tremble with fear. What had happened to warrant such ceremony? Heaven protect them, may this not bring disaster!

The eunuch raised his voice:”I have been reigning for twelve years, seeking to govern greatly and thirsting after talent. The state’s most important path for seeking worthy men is through the examinations. Justice itself relies upon this one path.

“This year during the Metropolitan Examination, I heard Scholar-Officials debating publicly at court and privately in the alleys, all declaring that Right Vice Minister of Rites, Cheng Minzheng, had manipulated the examination hall for selfish gain, willingly stooping to vulgar conduct. They said candidates had not yet entered the first session, yet examination topics were already circulating outside. They also alleged that the Jiangyin Provincial Graduate, Xu Jing, conspired privately with Cheng Minzheng to leak topics.

“Such clamorous accusations prompted me to order the Brocade Guard to investigate truthfully. Who would have expected the Brocade Guard relied on torture to obtain confessions, fabricating evidence? What I heard and saw was utterly shocking.

“Fortunately, Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat Li Dongyang thoroughly investigated to clarify the source of this matter, setting things right at their roots, revealing these were false accusations.

“I failed to discern this beforehand, causing Cheng Minzheng and Xu Jing to be smeared with unwarranted injustice. Suffering humiliation from petty officials of the Imperial Prison, tormented by villains – this is my dereliction! Blinded for a time, I caused loyal and good men to face wrongful accusations…

“Fang Jifan, Zongqi of the Imperial Forest Guard, is Nanhe Bozi. Today entering the palace for audience, he painfully explained the gravity of the situation, accusing this ruler of being dim-witted and ill-informed…”

Manager Yang nearly choked on a mouthful of old blood.

How could he know that Imperial Edicts naturally adopted a certain florid style?

What Fang Jifan had actually said in the Warm Pavilion was that His Majesty acting this way was unworthy of a Sage Monarch. But when the Hanlin Academician drafted the decree, or perhaps because the Emperor sincerely wished to repent, the wording directly became “dim-witted and ill-informed.”

This was calling the Emperor a dimwit!

Their Young Lord had genuinely gone seeking death!

But not seeking death like this… Manager Yang listened in terror, feeling darkness cloud his vision and a ringing in his ears.

Other household servants were somewhat better off; after all, common people didn’t grasp such language easily. They hadn’t studied much.

Ouyang Zhi, Liu Wenshan, and Jiang Chen were three humble, Pedantic Scholar types. Hearing this, they were full of astonishment – worried for their Mentor, yet inwardly proud. Their Mentor… truly commanded respect! He had actually spoken out frankly! Their Mentor was truly their model; their hearts yearned to be like him.

In the eyes of scholars like Ouyang Zhi, speaking out frankly was an immensely admirable deed. Their hearts surged as one, wishing they could have been at their Mentor’s side in that moment.

Tang Yin and Xu Jing were stunned beyond words. Then, tears blurred their eyes.

Fang Jifan really had pleaded for their cause.

What immense risk he had taken! Tang Yin suddenly thought: For life, I shall hold no other thought towards my Mentor but utter loyalty. From now on, I am willing to be nothing but his faithful hound.

Xu Jing trembled violently, tears falling like raindrops upon the ground.

For him, he had accused the Son of Heaven of being a dimwit! This was true moral courage!

He could almost picture it: in the hall of Heaven, Fang Jifan standing tall and imposing, righteous in word and deed, pointing at the Emperor, voicing countless courageous arguments, like an ancient wise minister… Bi Gan and Wei Zheng paled in comparison.

Only… his face abruptly changed…

Could anything go wrong?

The eunuch continued:”Filled with fear and anger, my mind cleared. The cause and consequence of this case, while involving false accusation, was truly caused by my dimwitted negligence.

“If I have committed crimes, let ten thousand regions not bear the guilt. If ten thousand regions have guilt, let it fall solely upon me. Ancient wisdom says: ‘To know one’s error and correct it, no good is greater.’ I am filled with trepidation, hoping only to set things straight.

“Now, the Tribute Scholar Xu Jing is restored his Imperial Examination Degree. Others wrongly accused are restored to their official positions.

“Fang Jifan, Zongqi of the Imperial Forest Guard, currently serving in the Eastern Palace, attends to his duties with utmost dedication. He presents loyal and frank advice, admonishes against faults, brings stability to the nation and benefit to her people – truly a model for all.

“By this decree, let all regions know. So let it be declared to all…”

Restoration of his Degree…

Xu Jing’s body shook violently. He raised his head, light flashing in his eyes.

An Imperial Examination Degree was of paramount importance to a Scholar. Ten years of study, ten years taking exams – from the County, Prefectural, and Academy Examinations, to the Provincial and Metropolitan Exams. To become a Tribute Scholar was incredibly difficult.

Xu Jing flushed red with emotion.

But then, Manager Yang, not far away, let out a roar. Beating his chest, he cried out incoherently, overcome with excitement: “Heaven! Heaven protect us! Our Young Lord is safe! Safe and sound is enough!”